Dakota College defines a credit hour as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes, and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates not less than:
- Forty-five to fifty (45-50) minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student works each week for approximately fifteen weeks during one semester.
- Over a sixteen-week semester this is equivalent to one 45-50-minute period of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class work each week for approximately 15 weeks plus a final exam period for all classes requiring a final exam.
- Classes scheduled as shorter sessions will meet the equivalent amount of classroom or direct faculty instruction time per credit as full semester length classes.
- At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by Dakota College, including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.